Thursday, June 2, 2016

Fintech (Financial Technology) is here, to stay.

Fintech will not only change the way we pay, it also change the way we invest. It creates healthy competition, therefore banks will also have to keep up to win customers.

Last month Bank Negara initiated the fintech regulatory framework, we shall embrace the technology revolution and this is a positive changes since almost each of us have a smartphone or two.

So, what exactly is fintech?

The definition from the web:-

Financial technology, also known as FinTech, is a line of business based on using software to provide financial services. Financial technology companies are generally startups founded with the purpose of disrupting incumbent financial systems and corporations that rely less on software.

What are the software we have been using or heard?

PayPal

We use it to pay (or even collect payment). But paypal is NOT a bank, it is a software that provide financial services.

Malaysian has not been exposed to most of the fintech companies, if ever using one, not aware it is fintech. The following are some of these fintech brands in overseas.

PerkstreetBoom and BustCustomers loved this online bank, and its generous rewards--which cost too much to sustain. It closed in 2013.

OnDeckSecond StageThe small-business lender went public in 2014, validating a market for startups that provide high-priced but speedy credit to entrepreneurs.

BitInstant Flame-OutThis early Bitcoin startup was backed by the Winklevoss twins but came under regulatory scrutiny and shuttered in 2013. Its co-founder is now in prison for money laundering.

Coinbase Charting New Territory One of the most successful Bitcoin- related startups, this virtual currency exchange is backed by both VCs and banks.

SquareEscape VelocityThe mobile payments company changed the way small businesses accept payments, but has also struggled with product setbacks and a much-rumored IPO.

WePayNew TrajectoryLaunched as a consumer payments company, in 2013 WePay turned to processing payments for crowdfunding sites--and it has soared ever since.

ProsperLate RecoveryOne of the earliest online lending innovators, it faltered under regulatory scrutiny but started a comeback in 2013, and is now worth $1.9 billion.

BettermentAutopilotThis "robo-adviser" is jockeying with Wealthfront, among others, to build a cheaper, more tech-reliant type of wealth-management firm.

WesabeInto Thin AirA precursor to Mint.com, this personal-finance manager launched in 2006 but lost ground to its better-known competitor and closed down in 2010.

StripeClimbing FastThe five-year-old payment processor, valued at $5 billion, has gotten a lift from such customers as Facebook, Twitter, Apple, and Kickstarter.

Lending Club Up Up and AwayWith its 2014 IPO, the online loan marketplace cemented its role as leader of this fintech generation.

Clinkle Augering In The mobile payments startup attracted buzz, and more than $30 million from high-profile investors, before pivoting products and hemorrhaging high-profile executives.

ZestFinanceAiming High ZestFinance, which sells pricey consumer loans to people who can't otherwise get credit, is expanding its data services to China--and is No. 192 on this year's Inc. 500 list, with $51 million in 2014 revenue.